FOOTBALL: Thousands attend Coryell tribute

SAN DIEGO -- They remembered his genius and his quirks. Others
summoned lasting memories from their friendship with a former
coach.

On Monday afternoon, more than 2,000 people, including a
star-studded cast of players and coaches, attended a memorial
service at Viejas Arena honoring former Chargers and San Diego
State football coach Don Coryell, who was 85 when he died on July
1.

Among decorated figures paying tribute to Coryell during a
130-minute ceremony were Pro Football Hall of Fame coaches John
Madden and Joe Gibbs, and Hall of Fame players Dan Fouts and Kellen
Winslow.

While the tribute was emotional at times, laughter was prevalent
as Madden, Gibbs, Fouts, longtime coach Jim Hanifan, and San Diego
State and Los Angeles Rams great Fred Dryer took to the stage to
remember Coryell.

Dryer recalled the first time he ever met Coryell, during an
Aztecs recruiting trip. Coryell picked him up at Lindbergh Field
and proceeded to enter the freeway headed in the wrong direction,
at which point Dryer asked his future coach, "Are you nuts?"

"We had him for 85 years," Dryer said. "All of these stories
just fit. … Boy, what a special guy."

Madden choked up as he spoke, noting that he was breaking from a
prepared speech almost immediately to point out that Coryell
belongs in Hall of Fame.

Coryell -- who is in the College Football Hall of Fame for
leading the Aztecs to a 104-19-2 mark in 11 seasons -- influenced
the sport greatly with the innovative designs of a passing attack
later dubbed "Air Coryell."

Under Coryell, the Chargers won three straight AFC West titles
from 1979-81 and established an NFL record by leading the league in
passing in six consecutive seasons, from 1978-83. Fouts, Winslow
and Charlie Joiner all starred in Coryell's offense, and all were
later enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

The Chargers played in the 1981 AFC championship game under
Coryell and the team finished with a 69-56 record in his 8 1/2
seasons as coach.

"You know, I'm sitting down there in front, and next to me is
Joe Gibbs, and next to him is Dan Fouts, and the three of us are in
the Hall of Fame because of Don Coryell," Madden said. "There's
something missing."

Prior to the event, Madden -- Coryell's defensive coordinator at
SDSU from 1964-66 -- said he doesn't think it will be long before
Coryell is recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Madden also
remembered the first time he met Coryell. They met during a
coaching event when legendary USC coach John McKay credited Coryell
with creating the I-formation.

"He will be (in the Hall of Fame)," Madden said. "It's not, is
Don Coryell a Hall of Fame coach? Of course he is. It's just when's
he going? It's just a shame that he didn't get in before this."

"He had more respect for his players and coaches than anyone I
ever met."

Fouts took the stage and echoed Madden, saying "Don't worry,
he'll get in."

Remembering that Coryell and the Chargers coaching staff
nicknamed him "Dangerous" for all those interceptions he threw,
Fouts credited his coach for turning around his career.

"He gave me the best offense to work with and the greatest
players to throw to and became a very good friend," Fouts said. "I
owe a great deal to Don Coryell. We had a good relationship as
quarterback and coach. How can you not love a guy who not only has
so much faith in not only your abilities but (also) his offense,
and mixes them well together?"

County Supervisor Ron Roberts, a San Diego State graduate and
friend of Coryell, made a proclamation that July 12 would
officially be renamed Don Coryell Day throughout San Diego
County.

"He changed the school in a significant way, he changed San
Diego in a significant way and he changed football in a significant
way," Roberts said.

Ten minutes before the ceremony began, the current San Diego
State football team received a standing ovation when players walked
into the arena and were seated in the back two rows.

Former Chargers and Aztecs players littered the arena floor
wearing football jerseys. The Rock Church pastor Miles McPherson --
twice a Charger under Coryell -- hosted the event, which also
featured a short video segment on Coryell's life.

"All of us being here," Gibbs said, "what we're saying is that
Don is going to live on."